Addition of L-tryptophan to electroconvulsive treatment in endogenous depression. A double-blind study

Abstract

The combination of electroconvulsive treatment (ECT) and i.v. L-tryptophan (T) was compared with ECT and saline in double-blind study comprising 20 patients with endogenous depression. No significant difference was found with regard to the number of ECT given nor in the rate of reduction of depressive symptoms. Except for a slight decrease of plasma total tryptophan in the palcepo group, no difference were found in plasma total and free tryptophan nor in the concentration of total tryptophan in the cerebrospinal fluid.